A Mastic Beach restaurant heavily damaged by Superstorm Sandy nearly a decade ago was finally torn down Wednesday.

The former Violet Cove Restaurant is now a pile of rubble. It was considered an eyesore for many years.

Suffolk County and town leaders discussed how they want to preserve the waterfront area and turn it into a tourist destination with walking trails and an ecology center.

"We know that we are laying the path for a bigger, better future for this beautiful community," says Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

Jim Sicignano, president of the Mastic Park Civic Association, says he is not opposed to using the property for ecotourism, but he feels that more needs to be done to deal with the problem of flooding in the area.

He is concerned that any changes made to the waterfront property will have to be rebuilt to withstand future storms.

"I hope they proceed cautiously, and they look at all the environmental impacts," Sicignano says.

Bellone says he is working with town leaders to figure out flooding in the neighborhood.

The proposed project will take time to design and develop. There will also be public meetings for residents to ask questions about the plans.

The meetings are expected to take place at the end of 2022.